When I attended Erin Ennis’ breakout session, “Thriving Together: Community and Resources for Women Entrepreneurs,” at the BLOS 2024 Conference, she shared a resource list that honestly stopped me in my tracks. Erin leads Energy Exteriors NW, and she is the kind of woman who doesn’t just speak about empowering other women — she embodies it. Her session was packed with connection, honesty, and real opportunities to grow.
And when she handed out that list of resources, I had a moment of clarity:
“THIS. This is what women need. Not another motivational quote on Instagram… an actual roadmap.”
So, of course, I did what I always do:
I went home, sat down, and went full Andrea on it.
I researched every organization.
I expanded the details.
I added updated descriptions, verified links, and clarified who each group is best for.
And I turned that simple list into a strategic guide every woman entrepreneur should have in her toolkit.
Because here’s our truth:
Building a business as a woman is powerful — but it’s also isolating when you don’t know where to plug in.
We’re running homes, raising families, supporting partners, launching brands, balancing clients, solving one emergency after another… and somewhere in there we’re supposed to grow a company?
No.
We don’t need to work harder — we need access.
Access to capital.
Access to knowledge.
Access to mentorship, networks, and leadership spaces where our voices matter.
This article is your access.
Below are the organizations, communities, accelerators, networks, funders, educators, coaches, lenders, and powerhouses that can help you grow faster, build smarter, and scale without burning out.
These are the resources I wish I had 10 years ago — and the ones I constantly recommend to women at every level: brand-new start-ups, seasoned CEOs, freelancers, brick-and-mortar owners, and multi-seven-figure founders.
Let’s dive in.
Website: https://www.abwa.org
ABWA is one of the longest-running and largest professional networks for women in business. With thousands of meetings happening across the U.S. every year, it’s built for women who want community, visibility, and leadership development in a supportive, accessible environment.
What makes ABWA powerful is the combination of local chapters and national programming. You get relationship-building on the ground and virtual training you can take at your own pace.
Best For: Women wanting leadership skills, networking, and personal development.
Website: https://www.awbc.org
If you’re looking for structured business training without the $10k price tag, this is your spot. AWBC supports more than 100 Women’s Business Centers across the country, all funded in part by the SBA.
They help over 150,000 women a year with:
business plan development
marketing strategy
access to capital
workshops and mentorship
federal contracting support
Best For: Women needing real business support, especially early-stage or scaling to six figures.
Website: https://www.c200.org
This is the boardroom-level network. C200 is made up of the most influential women CEOs, founders, and leaders of multimillion- and billion-dollar companies worldwide.
If you ever wanted to be mentored by a woman who has scaled a global empire, this is where she hangs out.
Best For: High-growth entrepreneurs and C-suite women.
Website: https://www.ewomennetwork.com
With more than 500,000 women connected through 118 chapters, this network is a powerhouse. Their annual conference is a can’t-miss event for women entrepreneurs, packed with workshops, networking, and real business training.
Membership includes coaching, virtual sessions, and thousands of opportunities every year to get in front of the right people.
Best For: Networking, collaboration, visibility.
Websites:
Founded by Rebecca Minkoff, the FFC supports women founders through community, mentorship, investor connections, and tactical training. The 10th House is the membership platform where the magic happens — workshops, live sessions, masterclasses, and real access to mentors and investors.
Best For: Product-based founders, DTC brands, creative entrepreneurs.
Website: https://www.forbes.com/women
Real stories. Real numbers. Real representation. ForbesWomen covers everything from leadership and politics to money, innovation, and founder features. If you want to stay informed, inspired, and fiercely ambitious, this is your hub.
Best For: Thought leadership, professional development.
Website: https://www.10000women.org
A global initiative offering free, world-class business education for women entrepreneurs. Their online courses cover marketing, sales, strategy, finance, and scaling — and once you complete all courses, you’re invited into a global alumni network.
Best For: Women ready to scale their businesses with real business training.
Website: https://helloalice.com
One of the most founder-friendly platforms ever created. Built by two women, Hello Alice connects entrepreneurs to:
grants
investors
accelerators
lenders
business guides
courses
community groups
Their Financing Marketplace links you to 90+ funding options.
Best For: Women seeking capital, grants, and business growth tools.
Website: https://www.ladieswholaunch.org
A nonprofit dedicated to educating, funding, and uplifting women-owned small businesses. Their Small Business Grant & Mentorship Program offers a 6-month cohort with money + mentorship (yes, both).
Best For: Early-stage founders ready for coaching and capital.
Website: https://www.nwbc.gov
A federal advisory council that reports directly to the President, Congress, and SBA. Their focus: women in STEM, rural women entrepreneurs, and access to capital.
These are the people shaping policy for women-owned businesses.
Best For: Women wanting to understand national policy impacting entrepreneurship.
Website: https://www.nawbo.org
One of the most established organizations for women entrepreneurs. NAWBO advocacy influences public policy, while their local chapters offer networking, education, and leadership opportunities.
Best For: Small business owners who want a local community and national advocacy.
Website: https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/organization/office-womens-business-ownership
This office oversees all Women’s Business Centers (WBCs) nationwide. They focus on entrepreneurship support for women, especially in underserved communities.
Best For: Free counseling, training, and funding for education.
Website: https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance/resource-partners/womens-business-centers
140+ physical centers providing:
free or low-cost business counseling
training
workshops
funding preparation
mentorship
Best For: Women needing hands-on business help.
Website: https://sheownsit.com
A blog-style resource center full of articles, insights, and strategies written for women by women.
Best For: Tactical advice and practical solutions.
Website: https://thestoryexchange.org
A media organization elevating women’s voices through stories, videos, and podcasts. They also offer a Women In Science Incentive Prize for female scientists working on climate solutions.
Best For: Inspiration, visibility, and women in STEM.
Website: https://www.sba.gov
The mother ship. Everything from loans to grants to templates to local offices to government contracting support.
Best For: Every woman entrepreneur, period.
Website: https://smallbusinesscurrents.com
Daily articles, trends, and business insights. Perfect for staying relevant.
Best For: Small business owners wanting fresh ideas.
Website: https://americassbdc.org
Free one-on-one counseling. Yes, free.
They help with:
loan packaging
business plans
financial projections
marketing strategy
Best For: Women needing hands-on guidance.
Website: https://www.toryburchfoundation.org
A leading foundation supporting women with grants, education, interest-free loans through Kiva, and a competitive fellowship program.
Best For: Ambitious women ready to scale.
Website: https://www.uswcc.org
Strong advocacy, training, and federal contracting support. Great for women aiming for government work.
Best For: Certification, contracting, business growth.
Website: https://www.walkerslegacy.com
A national organization supporting Black and Brown women entrepreneurs with training, mentorship, and capital access.
Best For: Women of color building or scaling companies.
Website: https://ctwbdc.org
Workshops, bilingual training, 1:1 coaching, and business support with real-world application.
Best For: New founders and early-stage entrepreneurs.
Website: https://www.wbenc.org
The gold standard for certifying women-owned businesses. If you want corporate contracts, this is your certification.
Best For: Women selling to enterprise-level buyers.
Website: https://www.wipp.org
They advocate for women entrepreneurs in Congress and provide federal contracting support.
Best For: Advocacy, government contracting.
Website: https://www.womenpresidentsorg.com
A peer advisory group for women leading multimillion-dollar companies. High-level strategy, leadership, and growth.
Best For: 7-figure and scaling founders.
Website: https://www.womenstartuplab.com
A Silicon Valley accelerator for women founders. Elite programs, leadership coaching, and investor access.
Best For: Startup founders, especially tech.
Website: https://www.score.org
Free business mentors across all industries. Templates, workshops, guidance.
Best For: Startups and growing businesses.
Website: https://homeprotoolbox.com
A resource hub for home services professionals — great for contractors, tradeswomen, and service business owners.
Best For: Women in the trades or home service businesses.
Website: https://www.legacyleadershipinstitute.com
Leadership development programs focused on personal growth, influence, and effective management.
Best For: Women stepping into leadership roles.
Website: https://www.ifundwomen.com
iFundWomen is one of the most effective platforms for women entrepreneurs looking for funding without sacrifice — meaning you don’t have to give up equity, take on debt, or wait six months for a grant cycle. They specialize in crowdfunding campaigns built for women, and they match you with the coaching, confidence, and marketing tools you need to hit your funding goals.
But here’s the part most founders don’t realize: iFundWomen also gives out grants all year long through partnerships with major brands like Visa, Neutrogena, American Express, and more. Their platform is a mix of capital, coaching, community support, and visibility — all in one place.
Best For: Women who need capital NOW, want visibility, or aren’t ready for traditional loans or VC routes.
🔗 Example: https://womensvcfund.com
Let’s be honest: traditional venture capital has not been built for us — or for how women lead. But the rise of women-led venture capital funds is changing that narrative. These funds invest specifically in women-founded and diverse teams because the data is undeniable: women-led companies outperform. Period.
Women VC funds don’t just bring money — they bring mentorship, operational support, introductions, pitch refinement, and doors that usually stay locked for women founders. The ecosystem is growing quickly, and more women are taking up space on the investment side, which means more opportunities for you on the founder side.
Best For: High-growth, scalable businesses (especially tech, SaaS, product, or innovation-based).
Website: https://www.workingmother.com/nafe
NAFE focuses on supporting, uplifting, and advancing women in leadership — whether you’re an executive at a company, leading a rapidly growing startup, or stepping into a high-visibility leadership role. They offer research-backed insights, leadership resources, and a powerful network of women who are rewriting the standards of corporate leadership.
They’re also known for their rankings, awards, and recognitions, which can be a huge credibility boost for women wanting to build a stronger professional presence.
Best For: Women stepping into senior leadership, building a leadership identity, or navigating corporate-to-founder transitions.
Website: https://www.thebossnetwork.org
The BOSS Network (Bringing Out Successful Sisters) is a powerhouse community with a mission to promote and support Black women entrepreneurs and professionals through networking, educational resources, and funding opportunities.
One standout is their partnership with organizations like Sage and Google to offer grants, scholarships, and business development training. The community is warm, empowering, connection-driven, and deeply committed to ensuring that Black women have access to spaces where they’re seen, valued, and elevated.
Best For: Black women entrepreneurs seeking community, mentorship, and capital support.
Website: https://www.ellevatenetwork.com
Ellevate is a global community of professional women committed to helping each other advance. This is where women go to grow their leadership presence, build genuine connections, and gain access to curated career-building resources.
Their accountability groups, leadership circles, virtual meetups, and networking events are designed to help you get visible, build meaningful relationships, and step into higher levels of leadership. If you’re craving community that’s thoughtful, intelligent, and driven — this is your circle.
Best For: Women professionals, executives, and founders seeking peer support and leadership development.
Website: https://www.foundersfirstcdc.org
Founders First CDC is one of the leading accelerators for diverse founders — women, people of color, veterans, LGBTQ+, and underserved communities. They offer growth programs, coaching, and non-dilutive grants for service-based businesses looking to scale.
Their accelerators are practical and grounded: think strategy, hiring, pricing, business models, and operational excellence. Their grants help you grow without giving up equity, and their alumni network is strong.
Best For: Women running service-based businesses who want to scale sustainably and access non-dilutive funding.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned after 25 years of building businesses (mine, other people’s, and the ones I accidentally adopted along the way), it’s this:
Women don’t fail because they’re not capable.
Women fail because they’re isolated.
We try to do everything alone.
We try to be everything to everyone.
We carry the emotional weight, the operational weight, and the financial weight of our businesses like it’s normal — and then wonder why we’re exhausted.
But here’s the truth I want you to leave with:
You were never meant to build your business by yourself.
You deserve structure.
You deserve community.
You deserve mentors, capital, strategy, and rooms where you’re supported — not questioned.
The organizations in this guide exist because the world finally realized what women already knew:
When a woman is supported, everyone rises.
So pick one.
Join one.
Apply for one.
Reach out to one.
Forward momentum doesn’t come from perfection — it comes from connection.
And if you want help figuring out which resources fit your exact season, or you’re ready for clarity, growth strategy, and a business that doesn’t drain the life out of you…
I’m here for that too.
I built a downloadable version of this entire list — easy to skim, highlight, screenshot, and use anytime you feel stuck or ready to level up.
Because you are not just a business owner.
You are a leader.
You are a visionary.
And you deserve to thrive — with support, community, and resources that match your ambition.
Let’s build your next level.
Together.